--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Economists typically think that your…" description: "\"Economists typically think that your happiness goes up as you get more money, but the more you have, the less each additional dollar matters. This mean..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ce/emily-oster-12697_dollars_economists-typically-think-that-your-hap_1566340.jpg" --- # Economists typically think that your happiness goes up as… ![“Economists typically think that your happiness goes up as you get more money, but the more you have, the less each additional dollar matters. This means that you value money most in times when you have less income and more expenses.” quote by Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ce/emily-oster-12697_dollars_economists-typically-think-that-your-hap_1566340.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ce/emily-oster-12697_dollars_economists-typically-think-that-your-hap_1566340.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ce/emily-oster-12697_dollars_economists-typically-think-that-your-hap_1566340.jpg) > “Economists typically think that your happiness goes up as you get more money, but the more you have, the less each additional dollar matters. This means that you value money most in times when you have less income and more expenses.” [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Happiness rises with income, but each extra dollar has diminishing impact, especially when basic needs are met. **In simple terms:** More money helps, but each extra dollar matters less. Key Takeaway Focus on needs before seeking more wealth. Themes economics well‑being diminishing returns Mood analytical thoughtful Type explanatory insightful When to use this quote - budgeting - career planning - retirement saving Key Concepts utility theory marginal utility financial planning Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance income growth with contentment? - What non‑financial factors boost your happiness? A Different Perspective Wealth alone doesn't guarantee lasting happiness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dollars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dollars/) [Economist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economist/) [Expenses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expenses/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Income](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/income/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Means Value](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/means-value-487418/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Money Additional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money-additional-2813004/) [More money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/more-money/) [Think Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-happiness/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Value Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/value-money/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) ## Related quotes > [“He simply wanted more money without additional responsibility. A sound investment. That is the sort of fellow that makes other people's Empire possible. Sells…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-aldridge/he-simply-wanted-more-money-without-additional-responsibility-a-sound/) [James Aldridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-aldridge/) > [“After years of analysis i now believe that being rich does't mean having money, it means being of value by helping other being of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amany-zedan/after-years-of-analysis-i-now-believe-that-being-rich-does-t-mean/) [Amany Zedan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amany-zedan/) > [Caring about someone means you value their happiness as much, or more than your own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/caring-about-someone-means-you-value-their-happiness-as-much-or-more/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“There's a saying in Japan, and it has to do with cherry-blossom viewing: hana yori dango (Dumplings over flowers). It basically means that someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-sun/there-s-a-saying-in-japan-and-it-has-to-do-with-cherry-blossom/) [Amanda Sun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-sun/) > [“Hana yori dango. Dumplings over flowers. It basically means that someone should value needs over wants, substance over appearance. As in, make sure you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-sun/hana-yori-dango-dumplings-over-flowers-it-basically-means-that/) [Amanda Sun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-sun/) > [Many people think that happiness comes from having more power or more money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-ois-lelord/many-people-think-that-happiness-comes-from-having-more-power-or-more/) [François Lelord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-ois-lelord/) > [Economists actually disagree about whether there are significant economic returns from attending an elite college versus a less-selective one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-oster/economists-actually-disagree-about-whether-there-are-significant/) [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) > [The key to good decision making is evaluating the available information - the data - and combining it with your own estimates of pluses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-oster/the-key-to-good-decision-making-is-evaluating-the-available/) [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) > [If I gave you now, $10 as a gift, how happy would you be? Would you be happy, is the marginal $10, the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-ariely/if-i-gave-you-now-10-as-a-gift-how-happy-would-you-be-would-you-be/) [Dan Ariely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-ariely/) > [My parents were teachers and they taught me about the value of money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gethin-jones/my-parents-were-teachers-and-they-taught-me-about-the-value-of-money/) [Gethin Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gethin-jones/) > [“So many problems, however infinitely varied they first appear, turn out to be matters of money. I can't tell you how much this offends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-joy-fowler/so-many-problems-however-infinitely-varied-they-first-appear-turn-out/) [Karen Joy Fowler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-joy-fowler/) > [“When it comes to happiness, remember, it is experiences that represent really good value for the money.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wiseman/when-it-comes-to-happiness-remember-it-is-experiences-that-represent/) [Richard Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wiseman/) > [For me, three vacations is more value-for-money than a mandap with diamonds on it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaba-gupta/for-me-three-vacations-is-more-value-for-money-than-a-mandap-with/) [Masaba Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaba-gupta/) > [Do not value money for any more nor any less than its worth; it is a good servant but a bad master.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-alexandre-dumas/do-not-value-money-for-any-more-nor-any-less-than-its-worth-it-is-a/) [Thomas-Alexandre Dumas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-alexandre-dumas/) > [“neva trust anyone who does not value money”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kato-joshua-moshlin/neva-trust-anyone-who-does-not-value-money/) [Kato Joshua Moshlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kato-joshua-moshlin/) ## More by Emily Oster > [Economists actually disagree about whether there are significant economic returns from attending an elite college versus a less-selective one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-oster/economists-actually-disagree-about-whether-there-are-significant/) [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) > [Young women who live in areas with high maternal mortality change their behavior less in response to HIV than young women who live in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-oster/young-women-who-live-in-areas-with-high-maternal-mortality-change/) [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) > [“So why did my conclusions differ from theirs? At least two reasons. One is overinterpretation of flawed studies. But the bigger thing, I think,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-oster/so-why-did-my-conclusions-differ-from-theirs-at-least-two-reasons-one/) [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) > [How much is an hour of your time worth? It's worth whatever wage you would get if you spent that hour working. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-oster/how-much-is-an-hour-of-your-time-worth-it-s-worth-whatever-wage-you/) [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) > [Even though it is the case that poverty is linked to AIDS, in the sense that Africa is poor and they have a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-oster/even-though-it-is-the-case-that-poverty-is-linked-to-aids-in-the/) [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) > [Education campaigns ... may not be enough, at least not alone. If people have no incentive to avoid AIDS on their own, even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-oster/education-campaigns-may-not-be-enough-at-least-not-alone-if-people/) [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) > [Even if you are planning a birth with an epidural, the evidence suggests that a doula can help make things go much more smoothly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-oster/even-if-you-are-planning-a-birth-with-an-epidural-the-evidence/) [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) > [I think that there's a real sense in which pregnancy should be something that you do with your doctor, but I think that for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-oster/i-think-that-there-s-a-real-sense-in-which-pregnancy-should-be/) [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) > [I am extremely devoted to Amazon Prime - which offers speedier free deliveries, free movie streaming and other benefits for an annual fee -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-oster/i-am-extremely-devoted-to-amazon-prime-which-offers-speedier-free/) [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) > [Prenatal testing is a complicated decision for many women, forcing us to confront concerns about a disabled child and risks of miscarriage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-oster/prenatal-testing-is-a-complicated-decision-for-many-women-forcing-us/) [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) > [If you asked me which gives me more joy, my work or my family, there is no question that it's my family. Hands down.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-oster/if-you-asked-me-which-gives-me-more-joy-my-work-or-my-family-there-is/) [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) > [The main concern with a very large baby is difficulty in delivery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-oster/the-main-concern-with-a-very-large-baby-is-difficulty-in-delivery/) [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) > [If you have a traditional view of economics, you're probably thinking of Ben Bernanke making Fed policy, or the guys creating financial derivatives at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-oster/if-you-have-a-traditional-view-of-economics-you-re-probably-thinking/) [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) > [Being pregnant was a lot like being a child again. There was always someone telling you what to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-oster/being-pregnant-was-a-lot-like-being-a-child-again-there-was-always/) [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) > [Talking to women about birth can be polarizing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-oster/talking-to-women-about-birth-can-be-polarizing/) [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) [Explore all 53 Emily Oster quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) ## More Dollars quotes > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [This welfare for wealthy companies wastes taxpayer dollars, harms the environment, and makes a mockery of the recent reductions in federal social spending programs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/this-welfare-for-wealthy-companies-wastes-taxpayer-dollars-harms-the/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/) [Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/) > [The greatest charity you can contribute to is yourself. Instead of spending a dollar to help feed hungry children, why not spend that dollar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-greatest-charity-you-can-contribute-to-is-yourself-instead-of/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [If I had a million dollars, I just wouldn't just completely set back. I'd have to get out there and show my face to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muddy-waters/if-i-had-a-million-dollars-i-just-wouldn-t-just-completely-set-back-i/) [Muddy Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muddy-waters/) > [As far as Japan is concerned, I want to help all of our allies, but we are losing billions and billions of dollars. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/as-far-as-japan-is-concerned-i-want-to-help-all-of-our-allies-but-we/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [Some day I'll write a book and call it 'How I Got the Nickname Pumpsie' and sell it for one dollar, and if everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pumpsie-green/some-day-i-ll-write-a-book-and-call-it-how-i-got-the-nickname-pumpsie/) [Pumpsie Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pumpsie-green/) > [I'm part of a team that raises millions of dollars and raises awareness of HIV and AIDS all over the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-evangelista/i-m-part-of-a-team-that-raises-millions-of-dollars-and-raises/) [Linda Evangelista](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-evangelista/) > [France has not only built a bureaucratic barrier against American culture, it has constructed a notorious intellectual case against it as well. The French…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-cowen/france-has-not-only-built-a-bureaucratic-barrier-against-american/) [Tyler Cowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-cowen/) > [Right now, the government is spending billions of dollars supporting the problem-makers in the U.S. economy - the polluters, despoilers, incarcerators, and warmongers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-jones/right-now-the-government-is-spending-billions-of-dollars-supporting/) [Van Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-jones/) > [In short, both experience and economic theory imply that the US could now t to a more competitive dollar without experiencing either increased inflation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-feldstein/in-short-both-experience-and-economic-theory-imply-that-the-us-could/) [Martin Feldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-feldstein/) > [I think we need to talk about mental illness a lot more. People complain about tax dollars and say we don't have the money.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-think-we-need-to-talk-about-mental-illness-a-lot-more-people/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [A man with a million dollars can be as happy nowadays as though he were rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ward-mcallister/a-man-with-a-million-dollars-can-be-as-happy-nowadays-as-though-he/) [Ward McAllister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ward-mcallister/) > [Here we were talking about economic development, about investing billions of dollars in various programs, and I could see it wasn't billions of dollars…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-yunus/here-we-were-talking-about-economic-development-about-investing/) [Muhammad Yunus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-yunus/) > [I used to sit in front of McDonald's and ask people for dollars to get me a cheeseburger. It was bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-pain/i-used-to-sit-in-front-of-mcdonald-s-and-ask-people-for-dollars-to/) [T-Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-pain/) [Browse all 2,882 Dollars quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dollars/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Economists typically think that your happiness goes up as you get more money, but the more you have, the less each additional dollar matters. 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